crazyacres...

...where entropy happens constantly, in an unrelenting manner, as in every second of every day

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

planning ahead pays off for a change. Here is my latest:

{pretty} This urn and pedestal used to be up every summer, and was a focal point of my garden. I would take it down in the winter so it wouldn't fall apart. I tried to take exquisite care of it. But then a neighbor kid stepped on the pedestal and broke it. For three years it languished in the garage, waiting to get repaired. Right before Theo was born, I got the epoxy out and used it. Pedestal fixed. But, I didn't even do potted flowers this year, so it was empty in the garage all summer. But finally, after having TWO babies, I got it placed and filled, and I think it is lovely!

{happy}One of his first smiles for me. He smiles at everyone else, but for me, he wants to eat. Just this last week he has been smiling and laughing, but there isn't a camera in sight. But today, I caught one!!

{funny}I still think it is funny I have book end boys, eighteen years apart. And a very ironic part, is Theo loves his oldest brother the best. His face lights up, he smiles and gets so excited when the oldest is in the room. And of all my boys, these two resemble each other the most. I get de ja vu frequently, when Theo reminds me so much of a baby I was caring for so long ago.

{real}And here it is, our annual "Picture Tree" photo. And this year with a new addition. There was some fighting about who would hold Theo, but the biggest boy won.

About Me

More About Me

I am an iconographer, wife, Eastern Rite Catholic, homeschooling mom to nine children ages 19, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 3, and 1, gardener of my 3 crazy acres, and servant of God. These are not in order of importance =). You can e-mail me at renee.wiesner at gmail dot com.

St. Paraskeva Icon Studio

What is making me happy today

Putting energy into this space again.

Quote of the

Month YearA Christian home overflows its boundaries; it is an outpost of the kingdom of God, where the hungry are fed and the naked are clothed and there is room enough for everyone." from Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life.

Words of Wisdom

There is a great difference between successfulness and fruitfulness. Success comes from strength, control, and respectability. A successful person has the energy to create something, to keep control over its development, and to make it available in large quantities. Success brings many rewards and often fame. Fruits, however, come from weakness and vulnerability. And fruits are unique. A child is the fruit conceived in vulnerability, community is the fruit born through shared brokenness, and intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another's wounds. Let's remind one another that what brings us true joy is not successfulness but fruitfulness.
~Henri Nouwen

More Words of Wisdom

Growing into the Truth We Speak

Can we only speak when we are fully living what we are saying? If all our words had to cover all our actions, we would be doomed to permanent silence! Sometimes we are called to proclaim God's love even when we are not yet fully able to live it. Does that mean we are hypocrites? Only when our own words no longer call us to conversion. Nobody completely lives up to his or her own ideals and visions. But by proclaiming our ideals and visions with great conviction and great humility, we may gradually grow into the truth we speak. As long as we know that our lives always will speak louder than our words, we can trust that our words will remain humble.
~Henri Nouwen

Psalm 50

O God have mercy on me in the greatness of Your love; in the abundance of Your tender mercies wipe out my offense. Wash me thoroughly from malice and cleanse me of my sin. For I am well aware of my malice and my sin is before me always. It is You alone I have offended, I have done what is evil in Your sight, Wherefore You are just in Your deeds and triumphant in Your judgment. Behold I was born in iniquities and in sins my mother conceived me. But You are the lover of truth: You have shown me the depths and secrets of Your wisdom. Wash me with hyssop and I shall be pure, cleanse me and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear sounds of joy and feasting: the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice. Turn your face away from my offenses and wipe off all my sins. A spotless heart create in me, O God; renew a steadfast spirit in my breast. Cast me not afar from Your face, take not Your blessed Spirit out of me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and let Your guiding Spirit dwell in me. I will teach Your ways to the sinners and the wicked shall return to You. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, my saving God, and my tongue will joyfully sing Your justice. Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will delare Your praise. Had You desired sacrifice, I would have offered it, but You will not be satisfied with whole-burnt offerings. Sacrifice to God is a contritie spirit: a crushed and humbled heart God will not spurn.

My Award

A Prayer for the Suffering

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor and the destitute, the orphans and widows, those suffering from spiritual, mental and physical illnesses, those in misfortune, tribulation and sorrow, those held captive or sent into exile and especially on those of Your servants who are suffering persecution for Your sake. Visit, strengthen, comfort and heal them and by Your power quickly grant them relief, freedom and deliverance. (+)

The Prayer of St. John of Kronstadt

O Lord, grant that with Your peace I may greet all that this day is to bring. Grant me grace to surrender myself completely to Your Holy Will. In every hour of this day instruct me and guide me in all things. Teach me to accept tranquilly whatever tidings I may receive during this day, in the firm belief that Your Holy Will governs all. Govern my thoughts and feelings in all that I do and say. When unforseen things occur, let me not forget that all is sent by You. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonably toward everyone, so that I may bring confusion and sorrow to no one. Bestow on me, O Lord, stregth to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my part in its events. Guide my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to suffer, to forgive and to love. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

O Heavenly King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, Who art in all places, and fillest all things. Treasury of Goodness and Giver of Life, come and take up Thine abode amongst us. And cleanse us of every stain, and save our souls, O Good One.